Cargo vs Pax Flights

[dsee8driver]

Wow..

And I thought draining our Sears potty at altitude was exciting!

Nice story!

 

[PilotoHalcon]

Guys, I would love to say that I actually wrote that fine piece of literary art but I saved it from a story I read long ago. If it were actually mine I would not be where I am this very minute. I would be sipping margaritas someone off the coast of Honduras, listening to James Buffet and looking for that elusive green flash while floating on turquoise blue water. Of course there would be a dark eyed beauty waiting for me in the aft cabin with nothing more on but a smile. (This is my fantasy so hush) But reality sets in, it is 2213 here and I am just back from Bahrain with a bottle of warm water and a Dixie Chicks CD. Reality bites. Buenos noches ustedes.
j

 

[Purple Haze]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brucek "Other then no F/A to bring meals and coffee, the bathroom facilities, and the lack of pax briefings, what's the difference in flying freight or pax around? Schedules, routes? Anything else?"

Copied or not, PilotoHalcon's post was beautiful -- thank you. And, it described my life on a FedEx 727 (minus the blue excitement).

The few differences I have observed: Food is a big difference. Our catering is similar to a USAF box lunch, plus a cooler full of water, juice, & soda, and a thermos of coffee. I believe our widebodies have ovens (frozen meals) and some can brew their own coffee.

Our lav is same as our passenger friends (not as clean).

No stroll thru the terminal & thru terminal security. Also means: no jetway (wait for stairs & walk outside).

No contact with the public, but good camaraderie amongst pilots.

Our schedules and routes are similar, I think, but clearly we do more at night.

To me, it resembles USAF trash hauling, but with a shorter work day and better (much better) conditions. My favorite part: when the engines are shut down, we are on the bus within 5 minutes -- done.

No hats.

My impression: Flying for a major pax carrier would be more posh, but with the tradeoff of terminal hassles and an increasingly less appreciative public. I love my job and will not consider anything else. Also, cargo ops seem comparatively stable. To me either job is livin' the dream.

 

[PilotoHalcon]

"Cleared direct" is a big difference.

Lack of transportation, taxi drivers are clueless as to where the cargo side is. Not that I blame them.

ATC is lessed stressed.

"Who is Airborne Express? You look just like Greyhound bus drivers".

Still the best flying job I had though.
j